HMI Panels Are Used in Many Different Applications

10/20/2016

One of the many types of products manufactured under the Allen Bradley brand name as part of Rockwell Automation is displays, terminals, and so forth. Otherwise known as a human machine interface or HMI. These can be anywhere in the range of a simple user terminal to a fully integrated computer system with some type of operating system like Windows.

On the lower range to medium range of operator controls and options is the Allen Bradley 2711 series of PanelView and PanelView Plus operator interface controls. Rockwell Automation introduced the first PanelView graphic operator interface terminal in 1989. Since that time many different models, and sizes of displays have been introduced with a multitude of control functions and capabilities.

A few of the more popular series are the standard operator terminals are the PanelView 300, PanelView 300 Micro, PanelView 550, PanelView 600, PanelView 900, PanelView 1000, and PanelView 1400. These standard terminals differ in many aspects such as display size and type, (monochrome, grayscale, and color), operator input (touch screen or keypad), communications, (DH-485, RS-232, Remote I/O, DH+, ControlNet, DeviceNet, EtherNet, EtherNet/IP, DF1), and RS-232 printer port support. Some models have internal memory, while others have the ability to install a memory card for more extensive programming options.

The PanelView Plus graphic terminals like the PanelView Plus 400, PanelView Plus 600, PanelView Plus 700, PanelView Plus 1000, PanelView Plus 1250, and PanelView Plus 1500 have even more capabilities and features than the standard PanelView terminals. Some of these include increased processor speeds, increased RAM and flash storage, greater connectivity to peripherals such as printers, mice and keyboards. Some of the PanelView Plus have the ability to integrate with third party software such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office viewers. There is backup and restore functionality in the event that the programming is lost or needs to be re-entered or duplicated. DataStore Plus logging and trending is also available.

The Allen Bradley PanelView and PanelView Plus operator interface terminals are items that we at Precision Electronic Services have extensive experience. Since Rockwell Automation has been manufacturing the PanelView terminals for nearly 30 years, and have increased features and functions, some models are no longer available new. As a general rule, whenever you have to replace an older or obsolete control with a newer model, there is also the possibility of new wiring and programming that must be considered. That’s where our experience can be put to work for you. PES has repaired countless numbers of PanelViews ranging throughout the entire product line and types of symptoms and failures from cracked or broken screens to dim displays to functional errors to no operation at all. We also are able to retrofit LCD displays into the older CRT display models and extend the life of the unit. When your PanelView fails, call 800-732-4695 to reach the experts at PES to repair it and get you back into operation.

I intended to send your company a message thanking all for the excellent and timely manner on the repair but things get very busy here for me (the only maintenance they have). The machine is running fine and your company has made it in my black book and rolodex as my go-to for future repairs. Thank ...